In a nutshell
- The ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá is one of the seven new wonders of the world and also among the most famous places to visit in Mexico.
- Chichén Itzá lies on the Yucatán Peninsula between Cancún, Tulum and Mérida. The ruins are easy to reach and guided tours run from all major towns.
- In this guide, we share all the key tips for visiting, explain how to get there, where to buy your tickets, and everything else you should know before you go.
What is Chichén Itzá?
Chichén Itzá was the capital of the Maya between about 500 and 1200 AD and played a central role in their culture.
Today, Chichén Itzá is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited Mayan sites in Mexico as well as one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It’s a must-see on any Yucatán trip.
In 2007, the ruins were named one of the seven new wonders of the world – together with places like Machu Picchu and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio.
The absolute highlight is the Kukulkán Pyramid, which is also the most photographed spot. But the site is much larger, with many more ruins waiting to be explored.
Where is Chichén Itzá in Mexico?
Chichén Itzá is located right in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The closest major city is Valladolid (about 45 kilometers away). It’s also within easy reach of Mérida (120 kilometers), Tulum (150 kilometers) and Cancún (200 kilometers).
The small village of Pisté is directly next to Chichén Itzá.
How to Get to Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is very easy to reach. You can either visit on your own or join a guided tour.
Guided tours
Guided tours are available from all popular destinations on the Yucatán. You can, for example, book them at your hotel in Cancún, your accommodation in Playa del Carmen, or your hotel in Tulum.
A guided tour is the most hassle-free option. Transport from your hotel and a guide are included, so you don’t have to organize anything yourself.
Book the guided Chichén Itzá morning tour from Cancún & Playa del Carmen
Many tours from Cancún or Playa del Carmen also combine a swim in a cenote with a visit to the colonial town of Valladolid.
Book the Chichén Itzá tour from the Riviera Maya incl. Valladolid, cenote & lunch
Book the Chichén Itzá tour from Cancún incl. Valladolid & cenote
Travel on your own
Visiting on your own is also straightforward. The big advantage: you’re more flexible and can spend more time at the site.
We recommend arriving right when the gates open at 8 am or in the late afternoon around 3 pm, and then staying for the night show (more on that below). These times are usually less crowded.
You can stay in a hotel right at Chichén Itzá or in Pisté. There are also plenty of options in Valladolid. We’ll share more about staying overnight later.
Colectivos (shared minivans) leave Valladolid for Chichén Itzá starting at 7 am. They depart from Calle 39, between C. 46 and 48. A one-way ticket costs 40 MXN.
You can also check bus schedules on the ADO or CheckMyBus websites for departures to Chichén Itzá. In addition to buses from Valladolid, there are direct services from Mérida and other cities to the ruins.
Where to Buy Your Chichén Itzá Ticket?
You can buy your ticket right at the entrance. It’s cheaper there than online, but you should expect a line at the ticket counter.
When we arrived at 8 am, we only had to wait about 10 minutes. Of course, that might not always be the case.
If you book online, you can skip the wait completely and head straight inside.
Get your skip-the-line ticket for Chichén Itzá
Note: Some guided tours already include admission, so you don’t need to buy a separate ticket.
Book a guide: yes or no?
We definitely recommend hiring a guide. They know the site inside out and will explain the meaning and history of the ruins. While there are signs at each building, the guides bring the stories to life.
Plenty of guides wait at the entrance, and many offer tours in English. If you prefer, you can also book a guide in advance.
Guides are always included if you join a guided tour.
Book a guide for Chichén Itzá (without entrance fee)
How Much is the Entry Fee for Chichén Itzá?
There are two ticket options for Chichén Itzá: the standard ticket and the night show ticket.
Chichén Itzá standard ticket
The standard ticket costs 648 MXN. The price is made up of the entrance fee (100 MXN) plus government fees (548 MXN). Mexican citizens pay a reduced price.
Noches de Kukulkán
Every evening there’s a light and sound show at the Kukulkán Pyramid. It starts at 7 pm, and tickets can be bought at the entrance from 3 pm. They cost 755 MXN. You can also purchase them online at nochesdekukulkan.com.
The night show is usually not included in guided tours from the Riviera Maya (like Cancún), since you’d get back very late.
So if you want to see it, we recommend staying overnight near Chichén Itzá.
What to See in Chichén Itzá?
There are dozens of impressive structures at Chichén Itzá. The most famous is the Kukulkán Pyramid. Other highlights include the Templo de los Guerreros and the Juego de Pelota ball court.
There are far too many ruins to list here, but exploring them on site is the best way to take it all in.
In addition to the ruins, there are also two cenotes within the site: the Cenote Sagrado and Cenote Xtoloc.
You’ll also find plenty of souvenir stalls throughout the site selling all kinds of crafts and trinkets related to Chichén Itzá and the Maya.
Hotels near Chichén Itzá, Mexico
The most relaxed way to visit is to stay right next door – perfect if you want to arrive early in the morning or see the night show.
There’s a hotel zone with 4 hotels directly next to Chichén Itzá. Guests can enter through a separate entrance and can also book guided tours directly through the hotel.
Chichén Itzá Hotels
Hacienda Chichen Resort
Hotel Villas Arqueológicas Chichén Itzá
The Lodge at Chichén Itzá
Hotel Maryland (currently not bookable)
Hotels next to the site tend to be expensive. A more affordable option is staying in the village of Pisté, only 2.5 kilometers from the entrance.
Our hotel tips for Pisté
Hotel Puerta Chichén
La Casa de las Lunas
For a wider range of options, check out accommodation in Valladolid.
FAQ About Chichén Itzá
To wrap things up, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Chichén Itzá.
How much time should I plan for Chichén Itzá?
For the visit to Chichén Itzá alone, it is best to take 3-4 hours. Depending on where you are traveling from, it is best to plan half a day or a whole day for the Mayan ruins.
The guided tours from Riviera Maya take a whole day.
What does the name Chichén Itzá mean?
Chichén Itzá roughly translates as the city on the edge of the well of the Itzáes . The Itzáes were the inhabitants of the city. The well refers to the Cenote Sagrado.
Can you climb the pyramid in Chichén Itzá?
No. You are not allowed to enter any of the ruins in Chichén Itzá.
Is there an admission limit for Chichén Itzá?
As far as we know, there is currently no minimum limit for tickets. However, this may change at any time.
How high is the pyramid of Chichén Itzá?
30 meters (24 meters to the plateau).
When was the pyramid of Chichén Itzá built?
It is not known exactly. It is estimated to be around 900 AD.